The wording of diplomatic agreements and protocols is often deliberately designed either to soothe ruffled feathers — while pursuing an otherwise ruthless course — or to give assurance in sufficiently vague form that the vaguery might afterwards be exploited to diminish the effect of the assurances.

1988, Kenneth Pickering, How to Study Modern Drama:

There is a sharp and effective contrast between the incisiveness and energy of his speech and the vaguery and haziness he is attacking.